Mid-Year Milestones: Expansion, Innovation and Sustainability

collage of photos to accompany half year update

It’s hard to believe that come the end of September we will be half-way through our financial year. Time has flown by so we’re taking a step back to reflect on the last 6 months.

The company continues to grow – our headcount has risen by a further 15% and as a result so has our fleet of vans. We have added to our range of products and achieved a number of associated accreditations.

On the construction side of the business, we have moved firmly into Fire Stopping as well as adding to the skill-set to cover all aspects of refurbishment and maintenance.

The Mechanical Team is undertaking a large programme of re-piping as well as continuing to service our domestic and commercial client base. The team has also achieved MCS accreditation for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps.

The Electrical Team continues to work on a range of projects and has seen two of its apprentices move to full qualification, with the next cohort hot on their heels.

Finally, Kris and his co-directors have worked hard to position Quinns for a full renewable energy offering. We have acquired our first fully electric vans, secured a consumer finance provider, renewed all the necessary qualifications, and we are due to launch our new renewables website imminently.

Overall, we can be very proud of all that we have achieved over the last 6 months but as always, we could not have done it without the support of our incredibly loyal client base and stakeholders. Your custom, advice and guidance is never taken for granted as we strive to continue our aim of providing top quality and fully compliant service.

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Electric Heating vs. Conventional Wet System Heating: What’s Best for Your Home This Winter?

winter landscape

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, many of us are turning our thoughts to keeping our homes warm and cosy. In the UK, where temperatures can drop significantly, choosing the right heating system is crucial for both comfort and cost-efficiency. Two popular options are electric heating and conventional wet system heating (often known as central heating). Each has its own set of pros and cons, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision for your home this winter.

Electric Heating

Pros

  1. Ease of Installation: Electric heaters are generally easier and quicker to install compared to wet system heating. There’s no need for extensive pipework or a boiler; plug-in heaters or wall-mounted units can be set up with minimal disruption.
  2. No Maintenance Costs: Electric heating systems require less maintenance. There are no boilers to service or radiators to bleed, which can save you time and money in the long run.
  3. Zone Heating: Electric heaters can be used to heat individual rooms or zones, which means you can target warmth where it’s needed most. This can be more efficient if you only use certain rooms frequently.
  4. Lower Initial Costs: The upfront cost of purchasing and installing electric heaters is generally lower than installing a conventional wet system heating setup.

Cons

  1. Higher Running Costs: Electricity is often more expensive than gas, and electric heaters can be costly to run, particularly if used as the primary source of heating. This can lead to higher energy bills during the winter months.
  2. Limited Heat Distribution: Electric heaters may not provide the same level of consistent, whole-house warmth as a central heating system. They are often better suited for supplementary heating.
  3. Environmental Impact: Depending on how your electricity is generated, electric heating might have a larger carbon footprint compared to gas central heating. It’s worth considering the source of your electricity and looking into green energy options.

Conventional Wet System Heating (Central Heating)
Pros

  1. Cost-Effective Running Costs: Central heating systems that use gas are typically more cost-effective in terms of running costs compared to electric heaters. Gas prices are generally lower than electricity, which can result in lower bills.
  2. Whole-House Warmth: A well-designed central heating system provides consistent and even heating throughout your home. This can be especially beneficial during the colder months when maintaining a uniform temperature is important.
  3. Energy Efficiency: Modern condensing boilers are highly efficient and can significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, many systems are compatible with smart thermostats, allowing for better control and efficiency.
  4. Environmental Benefits: If you use a combination of a high-efficiency boiler and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, your carbon footprint can be reduced compared to purely electric systems.

Cons

  1. Higher Initial Costs: The installation of a central heating system, including the boiler, radiators, and pipework, can be expensive. This is a significant investment, though it can pay off over time with lower running costs.
  2. Maintenance Requirements: Central heating systems require regular maintenance to ensure they operate efficiently and safely. This includes servicing the boiler and checking for any issues with the radiators and pipework.
  3. Installation Disruption: Installing a new central heating system can be disruptive, especially if it involves extensive work such as fitting pipes and radiators throughout your home.

Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between electric heating and conventional wet system heating depends on various factors, including your budget, the size of your home, and your heating needs. If you’re looking for a lower initial cost and easy installation, electric heaters might be a good choice. However, if you’re concerned about running costs and want consistent, whole-house heating, a conventional wet system could be more beneficial in the long run.

Before making a decision, consider getting a professional assessment of your home’s heating needs and energy efficiency. This can help you determine the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for your winter comfort.

Ultimately, the goal is to stay warm and comfortable without breaking the bank or harming the environment. By weighing the pros and cons of each system, you can make an informed choice that suits your home and lifestyle this winter.

Give Quinns a call to discuss how we can help keep you warm this winter.

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Hints & Tips For Apprentices/School Leavers

This time of year always brings to mind the many youngsters who are taking exams and making decisions regarding their future once they leave school.

As a company, we have taken on in excess of 20 apprentices over the years which not only benefits the business but supports the future of our industry. We are very proud of the support and guidance we have given our trainees with many of them now fully qualified engineers and dedicated to delivering top quality service to our clients. We have also offered many work experience opportunities, and continue to do so, which shows our commitment to the construction sector and the younger generations in the local community.

Therefore, I would like to set out some tips and guidance for those about to embark on the next stage of their lives with a particular emphasis on young people who are interested in the electrical and mechanical industries.

I appreciate that it is many years since I was facing the very same scenario and that times have of course changed dramatically. However, many of the tips below are as relevant today as they have always been. I also want to reassure the younger generation that, although good grades from your exams are a great start, there are other areas we focus on when looking to recruit.

So here goes with some pre-employment pointers.…

  1. When applying, be sure to demonstrate a keen interest in the industry you have chosen. Do your research and gain a basic understanding of what duties the apprenticeship you are applying for entails. Find out the potential courses available, what exams/qualifications you will need to take and how the training programmes work. For those in the local area, I recommend enrolling with either JTL or Salisbury College. This demonstrates that you have passed any aptitude tests and have already been approved for training.
  2. If called for interview make sure you are au-fait with the information in Point 1 and anticipate the basic skills you would need to progress within the company. This shows initiative and don’t be afraid to talk to somebody in the company for some hints and guidance before you turn up.
  3. Within this sector, you are definitely going to need to be able to drive. Assure your prospective employer that you are committed to your lessons and taking your test as soon as is practical.
  4. Present a well-prepared CV that lists your achievements, interests and relevant to the sector itself. By all means enlist the help of your parents, peers and online tips but keep it personal and composed by yourself. We would like to get to know the applicant behind the CV and cannot do this if a generic one is presented and written by somebody else.
  5. Turn up in plenty of time, make an effort with your appearance and be courteous to the interviewer. We appreciate that you may be nervous but try and be yourself and take your time with your answers.

If you do secure your apprenticeship, I am assuming you will then want to impress in order to stay with the company once qualified. Do not rest on your laurels and bear the following in mind…

  • When you are working with the engineers, don’t just stand and watch. Ask questions, show an interest, and offer to help when you can. Don’t worry about checking your understanding, don’t feel you are being a burden because all our engineers were once in your shoes.
  • Take responsibility for your courses and exams- ensure you communicate with your college and the company and again ask for help and guidance where necessary.
  • Keep your paperwork in order. If you are asked to complete paperwork to gain access to sites for example, do so promptly, tidily and without the need to be chased. Organising yourself at an early stage will make sure you continue this discipline throughout your career.
  • Whilst I would never tell you how to spend or save your wages, think about setting aside an amount each week to invest in some of the tools you will need in the future. Again this demonstrates commitment and it is easier to do when you are living rent-free at home!
  • Finally, and this should really be a given, treat your colleagues and the company with respect. Show good manners such as keeping your phone where it should be, look after company property, be punctual and be willing to help others.

Above all, come to work with a positive attitude, enjoy it and I wish you every success as you embark on this exciting journey.

KRIS QUINN, MD.
K J QUINN SERVICES LTD.

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Derek Barclay enters 10th year at Quinns M&E

We are delighted to announce that our Mechanical Director, Derek, is entering his 10th year at Quinns M&E. 

Back in 2015, the company provided electrical services only and Derek was brought in to start the mechanical arm so we could become a full M&E business. At the time, Derek was the sole mechanical engineer and was tasked with bringing in plumbing and heating work and, as the workload grew, finding and training new engineers. 

Wind the clock forward ten years and Derek’s division now accounts for 40% of the company’s revenue, as well as supporting the electrical and construction arms. His team has now grown to eight employees and over the years he has mentored apprentices from their first day at college through to full qualification. 

Above all, the secret to Derek’s success has been the quality of work produced by himself and his team. This quality is combined with a dedication to site safety and cleanliness. All this has resulted in a strong reputation for Derek and the company in the plumbing and heating sector. We wish Derek every success in his 10th year and are proud of all he has achieved.

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Choosing a Commercial Contractor for Your Business

Choosing the right commercial contractor for your business can mean the difference between a successful project and one that fails to get off the ground. Where do you start? In this blog, we’ll look at some important factors to consider when choosing a commercial contractor for your business.

Get recommendations

Ask others in your industry if they can recommend a contractor. If they’ve hired contractors for similar projects, they’ll likely have some good contacts to share. They might also be able to warn of any contractors who were unreliable or didn’t provide a good service, so you’re aware of who to avoid.

Ask for references, reviews and testimonials

One of the most important things to do when choosing a commercial contractor for your business is to check reviews and testimonials. As well as checking their Google Business Profile and website, don’t hesitate to ask for client contact details so you can follow up. Think of relevant questions to ask past clients, for example, did the contractor work to budget, were their skills and experience suitable for the project, and did they show up on time, communicate clearly and complete the project on time and to a high standard?

Check licensing, insurance and accreditation

It’s equally important to check that any contractor you’re considering hiring is properly accredited, licensed and insured. Anyone who doesn’t hold a valid licence may not be qualified to carry out the work they’re promising. A contractor without the proper insurance might end up costing your business money in the event of an accident or unforeseen issues.

Assess communication skills

When hiring a commercial contractor you want somebody who communicates clearly. If a project runs over budget or behind schedule, you need to know promptly. Likewise, if a personal emergency prevents contractors from working, you need to be kept informed. Excellent communication starts with the very first contact with any commercial contractor — are they easy to reach via phone and/or email during business hours? If you can’t get hold of them now, things are unlikely to be any different should you hire them.

Discuss the financial details

Always make sure that you clearly outline your budget and provide it to potential commercial contractors. Anyone you’re planning to work with should provide a detailed estimate, with a breakdown of any associated costs for materials, labour, and other expenses. A contractor who is uncomfortable with financial details or gives a rough estimate without a breakdown isn’t somebody you want to work with.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a number of important things to think about when choosing a commercial contractor for your business. Though it might be tempting to rush this stage, it’s important to spend time selecting the right contractor to prevent problems down the line.

Looking for a reliable contractor for your commercial project?

We’re always on hand to help! Our friendly team is happy to answer any questions you may have about choosing a contractor for your business. Get in touch here or call us on 01980 625449 today to chat with our experts.

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2023: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2023 has been another fantastically busy year here at Quinns M+E, and as the business enters its 20th year, we reflect on our key highlights over the last 12 months.

In a nutshell:

  • We entered the renewables market following full industry accreditation for solar panel installation, and are completing formalities for final certifications in Battery Storage and Air Source Heat Pumps
  • We announced the creation of our new Construction Team, which has enabled Quinns to offer a full Fire Stopping service as well as office refurbishment
  • The team has grown by a huge 35% as we welcomed 5 new team members with 2 more due to start in January
  • We held our first team event, introduced an annual staff appraisal scheme and enhanced HR support
  • We have continued investing in upskilling our staff through training and accreditations and high-quality technology, standing us in good stead for 2024 and beyond

To delve into the details:

Products/Services:

2023 has been a year of service expansion here at Quinns.

We ventured into the Renewables market, achieving full industry accreditation for Solar Panel Installation in April, and have since successfully completed a number of projects. We are also currently completing formalities for final certifications in Battery Storage and Air Source Heat Pumps. The business has plans to grow its Renewables offering in 2024, including launching our new website which will assist our customers on their journey towards a sustainable future.  

The Directors were also proud to announce the set-up of Quinns’ new Construction Team in September. The recruitment of specialist plasterers and floor-layers has enabled the business to offer a full Fire Stopping service as well as office refurbishment.

Despite these new ventures, we never take for granted our core business of commercial M&E projects, which continues unabated. The company continues to ensure the provision of the highest quality of service across the board.

Employees:       

Of course, the business could not perform as it is without our excellent team of engineers and office staff.

In 2023, we welcomed 5 new team members with 2 more due to start in January. This is a 35% increase in staff numbers versus December 2022.

In July, the Directors hosted the first Team Event where we outlined the company vision and asked the staff for their ideas and feedback. The event was well received, and we look forward to staging further events next year.

The company enhanced the staff packages this year with the introduction of additional benefits and support services. Each staff member now has a Life Insurance Policy equating to 3 x salary to add to the Private Healthcare scheme already in place.

An annual Staff Appraisal system has also been introduced where we have encouraged staff involvement in discussions about pay, training and career progression. We implemented across the board pay increases, a new Grading system and a more generous holiday package commences in 2024.

The company is working with an HR partner to ensure we are supporting our staff inside and outside of work as well as bringing in more automation to manage absence, performance and staff documentation.

Investment:

To remain competitive, the business needs to continue investing in updated equipment, vehicles, technology, as well as training and accreditations.

This has involved new and slicker laptops for office staff, updates to the vehicles, and all-weather uniforms issued to all our engineers.

One look at our Training and Qualifications matrix will show our commitment to ensuring that our engineers have the full range of updated skills. In particular, the Construction Team have spent time upskilling in the last quarter, which holds us in good stead for next year.   

Summary:    

Looking back over the year, it’s clear just how much has been achieved. We sincerely hope that all the work put into our continuous improvement will bear fruit in 2024 and beyond.

In the meantime, our Managing Director, Kris Quinn, would like to thank our clients, suppliers and partners for their unwavering support. From all at Quinns we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

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Quinns M&E successfully renews BAFE accreditation

Quinns M&E is delighted to report the successful renewal of the company’s BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) accreditation this month. BAFE is the independent registration body for Third Party Certificated fire safety organisations across the UK.

Quinns M&E has been installing fire alarm and emergency lighting systems for many years and has a team with a vast knowledge of these systems working to BS5839 and BS5266.

The company believes that the best way to demonstrate competence to its clients within this area is to maintain the highest recognised standard which is BAFE. The business first achieved this accreditation in 2013 and is delighted to have its certifications renewed following the successful audit.

These vital accolades do not happen by accident. Quinns’ MD, Kris Quinn, would like to extend a special thanks to Darren Conn and Adam Quinn for all the preparatory work involved plus dealing with the Auditor over the two days.

The company is also grateful to Scott Rumson from NSI for his guidance and support throughout the process.    

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Blog: A week in the life of an SME

Author: Patrick Harrington, Operations Manager

Well, the shift from working at a large corporate to an SME continues to prove a huge eye-opener.  

When things went wrong at the Bank there was always a department to sort things out- a Lloyds equivalent of Mr Benn appeared “as if by magic” and the problem was solved! This occurred with minimal impact on my time, and I was able to crack on with the day job.

Yet, as I write this, we are only at mid-morning on Wednesday and already the following has happened this week:

  • Two more of our vans have had faults reported and are in the garage- that is now a total of five currently off the road for various reasons.
  • Our phone/internet provider has decided to remove the named contact from their files – they are now refusing to speak with us about our intermittent online reception.
  • An engineer we were due to meet on site decided to turn up an hour early and then left before we arrived at the allotted time.
  • An outbreak of chickenpox has caused havoc with childcare arrangements which in turn affects where our engineers can be.       

On the face of it none of the above are disastrous (unlike when we ran out of tea bags this morning and I had to hotfoot it to Tesco!), but all take time and resources to resolve. We are too few for any of us to walk past these problems and we all need to muck in accordingly.

I am not complaining- I love the job and what it entails. I simply thought this entry would likely resonate with our fellow SMEs and open the eyes of others to the challenges faced when running businesses of this size. Let’s see what the rest of the week brings!    

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Remembrance Day 2023

This weekend, the Quinns team joins the nation as we pay tribute to those who have given their lives in conflicts from World War I until the present day. This time of year is particularly poignant here in Wiltshire which of course is home to so many people serving their country.

At Quinns M&E, we are privileged to carry out mechanical and electrical works for a number of military and RAF sites. This has been a core part of our business for so many years, and we continuously strive to provide the optimum level of service to ensure these vital locations function as they should. Kris Quinn, Managing Director at Quinns, never takes this work for granted and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure health and safety and adherence to MOD security is never compromised.

The company has proudly employed ex-military personnel in the past and a few of our colleagues have strong family army connections. Therefore, we are delighted to announce that Quinns has committed to supporting a Military Resettlement Scheme. As a registered employer, we will assist ex-servicemen and women as they transition from active service to civilian employment within our sector.

As we pay our respects to those who have paid the ultimate price for us, we at Quinns are fully aware of the debt we owe to the Armed Forces Community.

Lest we forget.

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Quinns M&E expands mechanical services team

Quinns M&E is delighted to announce the company is expanding to meet the needs of our customers and the changing industry requirements.

As the renewables sector continues to rapidly evolve, the increased demands of MCS accreditation, low carbon technology retrofits and the upturn in design and build projects, the need for cost-effective heat loss, technical drawing, 3D visualisations and MCS Standards approval has never been greater.

As a result, we at Quinns are proud to be expanding our mechanical services team with the addition of two new qualified building services engineers.

The expansion of our mechanical services team demonstrates our commitment to our customers’ requirements, enabling greater service availability, new service offerings and application of new technologies.

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